You Only Need One Measuring Stick: Yours.
By Cheri Felix
I’m getting ready to go to Fruita to ride with the girls for three days. With 9 kids between us, we really relish only needing to feed ourselves. Looking after ourselves. But things that can be deliciously fun can also go bad. Really fast. Most of us have been on a group ride where someone else is doing something completely amazing and you’re sitting there watching and wondering if you have the ovaries to try it. I know I have. About a hundred times. In fact every time I used to go out for a ride my husband would say one thing; no showing off. He knows me. I’m competitive and I love riding fast downhill and I love that exhilaration after you do something that almost makes you mess your chamois.
But here’s where the measuring stick comes in. Bring your own. Don’t measure your prowess on the bike by what someone else can do. Don’t compare don’t judge don’t do that “well if she can do it so can I” thing. Don’t get me wrong. If you can do it, do it. But if you really know your wheelhouse is about to get trampled, take a deep breath and evaluate before making a move. I’m not saying don’t take risks. I’m merely saying take smart risks. At the end of the day most of us want to get back on the bike the next day or we want to be able to carry the groceries in or carry our kid to bed or wipe our own tush so stay smart and safe.
And speaking of smart and safe, I learned a long time ago to never pressure anyone to do something they don’t want to do or shouldn’t do. Or shouldn’t do. People, that’s how people get hurt. We’re all grown ups. We can make up our minds if we want to do that “sick drop” or ride up that technical scary thing. I once was on a trip in Moab. There was a woman who flies those jet fighter planes. I almost said “ride with us” because I thought she’s a complete badass. She should probably ride something more technical. Glad I kept the lid closed. She came back from her less technical ride pretty banged up.
I’ll speak for the women and girl side of things. We get enough pressure. Pressure to look good all the time, pressure to be skinny, pressure to have the right boobs, the right lips and the right job. The last thing we need is for someone to even come close to insinuating that we aren’t rad enough or strong enough or brave enough if we don’t try x, y, or z.
I love the women I ride with. There are things I used to ride without even batting an eye. And some of those things now just aren’t in my bag of tricks. Could they be? Maybe. Do I really care? Not really. I know I’m a solid rider. I’ve thrown myself down the side of a mountain for a two day Enduro. Never. Need. To. Do. That. Again. But damn, it felt great (when I was done). I race cross, short track and fat bikes. And I ride the local trails and the western slope every chance I get. And that’s really enough for me. If you are looking for supportive friends to ride with let me know because they’re out there. Don’t waste a single minute on people who make you feel less than when you ride a bike.
You know how great you are. Don’t forget that.
Come hear Cheri speak at the Primal Colorado Bike Expo – Friday May 13 at 5:00 in the Beer Garden. With an intro from Larry Grossman and sponsored by Shredly (with sweet clothing giveaways!), this is an inspirational talk you won’t want to miss!Skratch-a-ritas may be on hand as well…
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